Are you guys feeling confident?
We were confident before the ODIs as well. But as I have said earlier, we played too many shots that found the fielders and it turned out to be a disappointment. But that's history and we are looking ahead.
How has the team shaped up?
The preparation has been good. Yes, we couldn't play the Benoni match because there were a few wet spots in the field. The pitch was good and we could have been a little selfish and said that we would have liked to bat first. But it wouldn't have been fair on the South African guys, who are in the middle of their first-class season. But we got some good centre wicket practice, along with a couple of hard training sessions ahead of the Test.
You are the senior-most batsman in the team. Does your role change?
My role remains the same whether I am the senior-most or not. Every individual has a certain role and I expect it to be performed.
Do you think batting first will be a safe option on this pitch?
I think it's more about bowling well to win Test matches here. You can score the runs, but unless the 20 wickets come, you are not going to win the Test. It's important for our bowlers to keep hitting the right areas and aim for the top of off-stump. It's important we start off well, whether we are batting or bowling.
How important are the roles of Zaheer Khan and R Ashwin?
The most important thing about Zaheer is his experience. He can be the leader of the attack and the young bowlers can work around him. Ashwin's role is equally important, not just as a spinner but a handy lower-order batsman. But it's a little different from bowling in India and he has to adapt.
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